Ruben Amorim has hit out at Manchester United players following their humiliating penalty shootout exit to lower league side Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup second round on Wednesday.
The Red Devils poor start under the Portuguese continued as they suffered one of the greatest shocks in English football history, with an early elimination to the League Two opponents.
After enduring their worst campaign in 50 years last season, the club invested heavily in new signings this summer with big money moves for Mattheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
However, it is now three games without a win into the new season, putting much pressure on Amorim who lashed out at his side’s poor attitude after the match.
“The way we started the game, we were not even here. When everything is so important in our club, everything that happened, it’s a problem in our club, we should do so much better”, Amorim said.
“I just have to say sorry to our fans, but I felt my players spoke really loud today what they want.
I think now I know that the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch. And I think my team and the players spoke really loud today.”
A win on Wednesday would have eased much pressure on the young manager, but Grimsby took a two-goal lead in the first half.
Andre Onana, who was making a first appearance of the season was at fault for both goal, beaten by Charles Vernan at his near post for the first and flapping at a cross minutes later, allowing Tyrell Warren to tap home a second.
“I think this is a little bit the limit. I think something has to change. In this moment, we need to focus on the weekend and then we have time to think”, he continued.
“In the penalties, the feeling is the same. I think football was really fair today. The best team won.”
Bryan Mbeumo, his first for the club and Harry Maguire scored late goals to give the Red Devils hope and send the game into penalty shootout.
However, Cunha missed the decisive spot kick before Mbeumo lost at a second attempt as the League Two side claimed a 12-11 win on penalties.
“You cannot change everything in one summer,” he said. “But you need to win games. You need to not show this kind of performance.
That is more than a result. That is the biggest problem in the team. I think it was really clear today”, Amorim added.
“When you play against a fourth division team, it’s not the goalkeeper [that costs you the win], it’s everything.
It’s the environment, it’s the way we face the competition. We know that we are in a moment when people will pay attention to everything.
“It’s going to be massive every detail and we show that performance today. So my players spoke for me really loud.”
With pressure building on Ruben Amorim, the club must now defeat newly-promoted Burnley on Saturday, to claim a first win of the season.
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